asked the Minister for Defence whether he can state the average number of beds occupied per day in the year 1927-28 at St. Bricin's and the Curragh Military Hospitals, the average cost per day per bed occupied; and the average number of medical officers employed in each of these hospitals throughout the year.

The information desired by the Deputy is as follows:—

May I ask the Minister if the medical officers are engaged in work other than attendance on ordinary hospital patients?

Yes. The medical staff is responsible for the administration of the hospital and for the compiling and custody of the records.

Does the figure 5 represent a medical student?

The figures are worked out to an average.